Top five smartphone apps for animal lovers

These days, there's an app for pretty much everything - and, whether for practicality or play, there's something for every whim of animal lovers and pet owners alike. Here are five of the best:

What Dog

We live in an age where more people are opting for rescue dogs over designer breeds. 'What Dog (A Microsoft Garage Project)' is the perfect app for anyone who wants to know what kind of breed their dog is. Some mixes work better than others but, with over 100 popular breeds listed, it's a good start for getting to know your new pup better. There's also a mode that lets you find out what dog breeds you and your friends are.

Available for: iPhone

BarkCam

We all know how hard it is to get cute pictures of our pets looking at the camera! BarkCam is designed to up your pet's selfie game, by playing different sounds to get their attention so they'll sit still for a snap. There's also a range of fun filters, stickers and other effects to add to the photo when you're done. A great time-waster.

Available for: iPhone, Android

Pet Phone

Taking care of a pet is a full-time commitment. That's why an app like Pet Phone can come in handy, making it easier to track your pet's health needs - from bills and medical history to weight and allergies. With an easy-to-use interface and able to be used for multiple pets at a time, this is just the kind of organiser savvy pet owners need.

Available for: iPhone

Weather Puppy

This one's not just for pet owners - it also suits animal enthusiasts who want to inject a bit of cuteness into everyday activities. The concept is simple: it's a weather app complete with puppy pictures based on the weather and time of day. You can even add photos of your own dog into the mix. Like so many great apps - it's a simple pleasure.

Available for: iPhone, Android

PupTox

PupTox is a handy list of hundreds of things toxic to dogs and cats - for all those times you catch your pet eating something unusual. It's always better to be safe than sorry and take your pet to the vet if you think they've eaten something dangerous - but PupTox can be a good place to start.

Available for: iPhone, Android